Resetting an Android phone can be necessary for various reasons, such as getting rid of malware or simply wanting to start fresh. However, resetting a locked Android phone can be a bit tricky. In this blog post, we’ll go over the steps you need to follow to reset your Android phone when it’s locked.

How to reset an Android phone when it’s locked

The process to reset a locked Android phone is similar, no matter the model. To do so:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the volume up button and hold it.
3. Next, press the power button and hold it.
4. Wait for the Android recovery logo to appear.
5. Use the volume buttons to change selections until you see “Recovery mode” at the top of the screen.
6. Press the power button to enter Recovery mode.
7. Use the volume keys to highlight the option that says “Wipe data/factory reset.”
8. Press the power button to select the option.
9. Press the volume down to highlight “Factory data reset.”
10. Press the power button one last time to confirm you want to reset the phone back to factory settings.

How to reset a locked Android phone without erasing data

Resetting a locked Android phone without erasing data can be a bit tricky and may not always be possible. However, you can try the following methods to reset your phone without losing data:

Method 1: Use Google’s Find My Device Feature

If you have previously enabled Google’s Find My Device feature on your phone, you can use it to remotely reset your phone’s PIN, pattern, or password without erasing your data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Find My Device website on your computer or another device.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. Select your locked device from the list of available devices.
4. Click on the “Erase device” option.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your phone’s lock screen.

Method 2: Use Android Debug Bridge (ADB)

ADB is a command-line tool that allows you to communicate with your Android device from your computer. You can use ADB to reset your phone’s lock screen without erasing data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Install ADB on your computer.
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
3. Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer and type the following command: “adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key”.
4. Reboot your phone and the lock screen should be removed.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party Unlocking Tool

There are several third-party unlocking tools available that claim to reset your phone’s lock screen without erasing data. However, these tools can be risky and may cause data loss or damage to your device. Before using any third-party tool, make sure to read reviews and do thorough research.

It’s important to note that these methods may not work on all Android devices or all versions of Android. If none of these methods work, you may need to perform a factory reset, which will erase all data on your phone. So, it’s always a good idea to regularly back up your important data to prevent any loss.